Tag Archive | track and field

Mizuno’s BE, my new training (NOT running) shoes

A few weeks before Berlin I got these lovely shoes… Let me shoe you (ha, pun intended!)!

The sole is super thin and bendable. The insteresting part is inside… your toes are pretty much, hanging out, literally. The way Samurais did it years and years ago.

See? I know, it’s hard to understand… Here is the Mizuno version

Before you say anything, THESE ARE NOT FOR RUNNING!

You wear them around the house, or to work (??) (I do!) or wherever. But Mizuno is very clear that they are not for running. NOT RUNNING.

So, this idea is based on the Waraji sandals the Samurai and Japanese foot soldiers wore.

They are supposed to develop your muscles and tendons by engaginging your toes.

Anway, not wanting to do anything crazy before my marathon I started wearing them when I came back. Ha, I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to walk around much with my toes hanging out, like they were about to jump off a cliff or something. And I was quite aware of it all for the first minutes every time I got up. Then I’d forget. And so on.

I felt the soreness the day after. Which I loved, so I kept wearing them more and more. After a couple of days I wore them without even a second thought! Not only I didn’t feel anything weird with my toes, but my toes really got used to moving around.

I really like them. They’re super light weight and a great tool to make your feet stronger as well as challenge and engage them. I am not sure I can tell you how much they’ve made my feet better but I definitely feel they are a lot more active these days.

Mizuno’s BE, my new training (NOT running) shoes

My first Orienteering Run!

Dec7

On Sunday I was going to meet my friend Helen for a run, she said noon. I said, I’ll confirm later. I wasn’t sure how late I’d be going to sleep on Saturday and how crappy-feeling or late I’d wake up on Sunday. Luckily, I woke up early, finished the 20 last questions (of 200) of the Track and Field test and I was ready and wide awake by noon!

Helen, just so you know, is VERY fast. She just came in 2nd in the Brooklyn marathon last weekend, so she has no business running with me. And somehow, she still does. I am still not sure why (I might be quite entertaining or something) but I figured she’d be sore and slow this week so I could totally run with her and not feel like I am dragging her down.

I got to the park and she had papers, maps, phone… wtf? she then explains she’s doing an “orienteering” run. A what? I interpreted it as a very technically mapped scavenger hunt with no prize, but I decided I’d be fine with hot chocolate after. Basically, this one was organized by the Hudson Vally Orienteering and they give a map just like this one:

I was instantly on board!! Now there’s a sense to the run. It’s not just piling on miles with osom conversation and fabulous landscapes (as if that wasn’t more than enough): there’s a challenge, a misterious direction, and things to figure out and new things to see than the regular path… FUN!!!! Fun Fun Fun Fun FUN!!!

I guess you pick the distance/level of difficulty, look for the markers (not sure that’s the technical term!!), and there’s a color crayon where you get to the “marker”, and you make yourself a “mark” in your “sheet” (I have no idea what the terminology is!!!) and you go in order from spot to spot and then back to the start/finish. Or something like that.

Some markers were easy to see, like this one right on the road and under the cat hill cat, some were really well hidden…

I thought it was ridiculously fun to not be sure where we were going next. We had to back track a bunch of times, because sometimes we were not sure where the markers were… or they were higher up a climb, or down… Helen was really good at the climbing, I tend to get scared I am gonna turn into roadkill. Eventually we made it to the finish area, and they had chocolate chip cookies and oreos!!!!! Awww! WIN!

Those are my OSOM (funny) leg warmers, so what? Those two on the right really got there sprinting ike crazy, like they raced there, they were sweaty and breathing heavily and had mud in their sneakers, I am guessing they were quite competitive about it or something!?!?!

We had chocolate oreos, run a few more miles and got some really dense hot chocolate. I can see myself doing some of these in the future. But seriously, if I tell myself there’s hot chocolate at the end I’d probably say yes to anything.

Bonus – As seen on the run:

Helen’s not just fun and fast, but also takes great pictures!

My first Orienteering Run!

Mission Accomplished: I am a Certified Track and Field Coach! Now what?

Dec7

Two weekends ago I attended the Track and Field 21.5 hours certification course. Over the past week I was determined to read the material before I started with the online test. The test was 200 questions… One coach on twitter told me he did it in 3 hours… hm… the instructors had warned us that some questions were tricky.

By Friday, coming back to the city from a ridiculous Thanksgiving OverEatingFest, I decided to tackle it anyway, I had read nothing and if I waited, I’d never get around to it. I wasn’t 100% sure about some of the topics, mostly the jumps and the throws, but jumped (ha) right into it.

They were really tricky, the wording was unstable to say the least. I had to reread a few of them outloud! 200 questions. 80% had to be right. So I’d be fine with getting just 160 right… it took me a while, NOT 3 hours. Basically big chunks of Friday, Saturday AND Sunday. I am sure you’re doubting my brains right now… I might have been a bit overparanoid with the trickiness and English not being my native language…

Then, I was done, press “Grade my Exam”, closed my eyes, and:

Congratulations on successfully completing the USA Track & Field Level 1 Coaching Education program!

You scored a 97.5% on the exam, which is a passing score. Hopefully by having passed the exam, as well as having attended the classroom instruction, you have a better understanding of coaching concepts for track & field.

ehem… that’s just 5 wrong answers in 200! Quite happy with that! These were the topics on the course and exam:

Topic Philosophy, Ethics, and Risk Management Psychology Physiology Biomechanics Training Theory Biomotor Training for the Speed and Power Events The Sprint Events The Hurdle Events The Relay Events The Jumping Events The Throwing Events The Endurance Events The Racewalking Events

Well, there went two weekends! As for my coaching future, there’ll be some updates soon. As for my own training, I am now really going to pour over some of the new physiology and training theory I learned (and all the interesting stuff they give us access to online!!!) and create all my workouts for the first half of next year. The decision is made: I am going to focus on the half marathon again, as I did this year. No Spring marathon for me, again. And, what I did this year worked, but that doesn’t mean it’ll work next year. Workouts will be adjusted based on goals, pace, fitness level, etc. As soon as it’s all ready, I’ll share, I promise! Here we go.

Mission Accomplished: I am a Certified Track and Field Coach! Now what?

FITTEST

Dec6

This is really hard for me to write, acknowledge and also say outloud, but here it goes. I hope it doesn’t sound horrible. But I think I have to say it. Outloud.

I have never ever ever been FITTER. In my life. I am the fastest, lightest, smoothest, efficient I’ve ever been.

Why is that so hard to say? Yes, well, it sounds horrendous to everybody else, but it’s probably because maybe I don’t feel like I deserve it, or that I did enough to get here, or at least enough in everybody else’s eyes… Or something. It’s hard to say. And having had sooo many injuries in the past year, and not PRing for 16 months, this is a huge mental game change.

I just feel it. It’s like the wiriness I felt before the marathon, it’s palpable. And sometimes we feel feit, but there is nothing tangible. There is proof in this case.

It is not just that I PRed like nothing in Berlin, and felt amazing, great, and in control and no pain.

I also PRed a week before, doing the Fifth Avenue Mile, and it felt effortless, like I was gliding.

My runs since, have been phenomenal. And faster than ever. Even on dirt.

And I really feel it, like I am in some kind of virtual world, where my weight is ok, my endurance is there, where my pace is effortless and efficient…

I never thought I could be in control of what shape I was on. I just run. Some days slow, some days ok. I feel like now have a handle on it what is happening with my body. And I don’t think I’ve done much to create the change, but the change is really palpable. Or that I just can’t believe it and adjust to it.

It’s amazing. I want to write a poem but it would make no sense. I am just going to keep running.

FITTEST

USA Track and Field Coaching Certification (Or what I did this past weekend)

Dec6

I’ve been thinking about doing this for a while. And.. you know, I’ve not just been running for a while, but I read A LOT of running books and running publications. I was expecting to be bored, and know most of it, and also hoping I would know most of it, and ALSO hoping I didn’t. You know?

Well, I did learn a lot. If you think about it, I only know about Distance and Biomechanics. And not what THEY call Distance, but just Halfs and Marathons and stuff.

Anyway, I signed up, found out that a few of my friends would be in attendance and decided I was gonna make the best of it. The schedule was a little crazy. Friday 6 to 10:30 pm (after a full day at work!), Saturday 8 am to 8 pm, and Sunday 8 am to 2:30 pm. Just 1 hour lunch on Saturday. Barbaric: I have no idea how to wake up at 7 anymore. It was a necessary pain.

Then I saw the Classes:

Philosophy

Physiology

Psychology

Bio-Motor Training

Training Theory

Endurance

Biomechanics

Sprints/Hurdles/Relays

Jumps

Throws

Multievents

Wow.

There was a lot in there I have never even touched. Or seen. I felt like an idiot assuming I knew so much. I really learned a lot. The funny thing is that having the Biomechanics part down, was KEY. Once you know the physics of movement, every sport can be broken down step by step (ha, pun intended!), it’s ALL TECHNIQUE. I felt like I had an unfair advantage, even with things I’ve never bothered like the jumps (long jump, high jump, pole vault, triple jump) or the throws (shot put, discus, javelin, hammer) as they broke them down, all phases of balancing movement and momentum, as well as all the laws of physics you can apply to it.

Fun Fact: Pole Vault can be a fun class. There’s a lot of fun vocabulary: penetration, hard poles, soft poles, bend the body on the pole. Not sure why I was the only one having a blast though.

So, Physiology and Endurance and Training Theory were VERY interesting. I learned a lot and here is a little snapshot of things to think about:

– There are no bad workouts, just bad reasons to do a workout. For example, why do mile repeats? What is that accomplishing, what are you giving up in return and what are you gaining, and how soon? Is it worth it? After we went over the science, I am not sure I’ll ever bother with mile reps anymore!

– Best workout to do the day after a long run is NOT a recovery run, add some speed/accelerations/maybe not a full workout but add some quality! why? endurance is down, work on the rest, your physiology is ready!

– Your first 7 seconds of every race are free!! did you know that? Check out what ATP does!

– When you’re over 30, you don’t produce any Human Growth Hormone anymore (so your recovery slows down). When you do speedwork, you produce HGO!

– One key thing is we shouldn’t see ourselves (or the people we coach) as Runners. You should see yourself, and train, like an Athlete that Runs. It is quite a different thing.

Best workout for distance runners: the threshold run. Do you know how to do reps of aerobic or anaerobic of both? How do you pick what intervals are better fitted for your training program? So many things I had never thought before… Why does the Billat 30-30 work so well? Well, I will be going over these things soon, if you’re interested!

Now, I gotta reread the book and take a 200 question test. I’ll be reading (sleeping with the book on top of me!) over there. PS: definitely worth it!

USA Track and Field Coaching Certification (Or what I did this past weekend)

Adidas Grand Prix, Icahn Stadium

Jun23

Last Friday I had a very busy day at work where I didn’t even remember to eat, even when I was racing a 10K the day after… and I get an email from the boyfriend “want to go to a track meet tomorrow?”. He was working too so brevity and lack of details is expected and normal.

My thought process always goes something like this my life is busy and chaotic already that whatever it is I PROBABLY rather sleep. Still, despite my better judgement I always end up saying yes to a lot of stuff. Crazy, I know, It’s just that NYC is pretty fun…

I was getting up early Saturday to race, then I was coaching, then we’d have to stretch, eat, all that and be ready very early Sunday (4:30 am) for a 5K he wanted to place in.

So I replied “let’s decide tomorrow”.

As soon as I saw the ticket on Saturday, I screamed. It is the freaking Adidas Grand Prix!!! NOT just some track meet!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OK, we’re SO going.

After the 10K, going to Team in Training’s victory party, shower, no rest or stretching, coaching, I was ready for a BIG nap, Headed to Icahn’s stadium in Randalls Island instead…

OMG. SO much fun. This reinforces my (and Bieber’s) “Never Say Never” life motto.

Kip, or Bernard Lagat as everyone seems to like to call him, doing his victory lap. I missed a bit of the race but he is always phenomenal!

Then the women’s 800!

Men 400, ooops, missed the race,I blinked… but here is the winner

And the women’s 200. DON’T BLINK!!!

the men’s 100

Then my favorite event, the Women’s 5000. AAAHHH

Scream with me, will you??!?!?!

And… we breathe…

I still had to eat (had two powerbars during the races), stretch, recover a little and get ready for an early/busy/exciting Sunday. But just like the Bieber, remember, Never Say Never.

One exception: I’ll NEVER be as fast as these people. Needed to get that out of the way to avoid some more dissapointment.

Adidas Grand Prix, Icahn Stadium

NYRR’s Club Night & Runners of the Year

Mar8

ME! Just kidding, OBVIOUSLY!

So, this all happened last night so I am sure there’ll be a bit more pics and stuff around soon, but wanted to put it up before I forgot all about it by tomorrow! In case you have no idea what this is…

Luckily, I had been involved in the Selection Committee and it was quite fun (blogged about the data-super-fun here). Here are the basic rules…

Anyway, there was not much for me to do last night other than have a good time: THE perfect assignment!! Here is the NYRR page where you can see all the info, awards winners and all that juicy stuff.

Everyone who’s anyone was there. It was quite fun, so much so, that I barely paid any attention to the show and the awards giving (I missed most of it actually!)… ALSO, I knew who would be winning everything… so…! It’s so cool to catch up with all this fabulousness when we’re not all out of breath and sweaty-gross! And you knew there’d be pictures coming right… some fun ones made it into the NYRR’s Photo Gallery… so… yeah..

The one in the middle on the top row, is my team, Dashing Whippets, picking up the Best Men’s Team, B Division, I am in the picture in them bottom too.

So, I am sure there’ll be lots more pics (and stories!!) up everywhere soon but had to share! Luckily, I get to be in the Committee next year too. YEY NYRR!! And, Congrats to all Awards Winners!!

My Dear V

Feb23

My Dear VO2 max,

I am onto you. I am coming for you.

I know how this works. It’s a slow process to get you just where I need you to be. Right where things work perfectly and everything seems effortlessly and natural. Right when I feel like everything I do is perfect and I am flying. Flying through the Air. Like Electricity.

I know there’s all these protocols to get there, conventions, and rules. I know, I am aware, I am not ignoring them. And because I wasn’t working on it for almost 6 months, you got offended and left me here. I get it. I’d be upset too. I just really had no interest in any one else while I was injured, you know: cross-training is not for me!!

But I am here, and I want us to be in this together; we need to make it work. I’ll do whatever it takes. I’ll do my hill sprints. I might even say yes to speedwork; but you have to be there to catch me if I am going that route. Okay? Are you with me? I am ready to come back and put all my effort in there so I can make you peak. My body is completely ready and willing to bend to your will. You can’t say no.

Happy Valentine’s Day Everybody!
(a day late, but what’s new!??! Too crazy yesterday!)

My Dear V

Millrose Games. All of it. Up Close.

Feb23

You might know that the Millrose Games used to be hosted at Madison Square Garden since 1914. This year they got moved to The Armory, an amazing track in Washington Heights, that also holds the National Track & Field Hall of Fame. It’s really a gorgeous place and wherever you sit, you’re way closer to the action than we used to be at Madison Square Garden so, naturally, I love the change!

The thing is, even though seating was quite close… I never made it to my seats! I was saying hello to some NYRR friends and then just ended sticking around there and watching from the main floor. Standing up, for the whole time, yes, but look how close I was…

This was the scene behind (and on top of) me:

Everyone was there. Everyone. I spotted my friend Robert, who now works for RW, in the middle of the track, snapping pictures (sorry R, you’re quite unmissable!), and found pretty much everyone else walking past at some point or another. You know, like a birthday party or marathon week or something. It was so much fun to see all these different races, and I found myself taking pictures but also shooting video of their form, and watching it over and over in slowmo as soon as they stopped. Yeah, racing p0rn. I’ll upload some videos soon and share if you guys are interested!

Not sure what race this picture is from, but I love it:

I am sure you all heard what happened already and you can watch all the races here, but I’ll share some my pictures, of course! I took a ton so had to pick and choose which ones to post, first some from the NYRR Wanamaker Women’s Metric Mile.

Because you always have to warm up for some things…

Jenny Simpson getting ready to blast the course!

Shannon “always ready to throw down!” Rowbury!

Fabulous, fabulous race. I breathe for a second, and soon enough, we get to watch Lagat (and Baddeley, Lalang and many others) run a fantastic New Balance Men’s 5000 Meter. I can’t lie, about this, I was having some issues standing up at that point. Being so close to the track is quite intense.

Then they did the dashes (IF only I could always get that foamed wall for my runs!!?!?!) which would leave anyone breathless; the hurdles, which really scare the crap out me (I’d be dead in a second!); the Sprint Medley Relays, which are so confusing to me as they switch pace in a millisecond and I struggle to adjust to the speed… and the Women’s 400 meter and 800 meter… Eh, what’s another word for intense? Whatever it is, read it in caps please.

By then, I was seriously exhausted. With just the NYRR Wanamaker Mile coming up, I felt like I needed to lay down and rest. It’s such a packed event, with so many amazing races that you can’t ever look away or relax to breathe. It was like I had had a few cups of coffee (and I don’t drink coffee) or watched a Bourne movie: hyper-tense-elated-attheedgeofyourseat excitement and exhaustion. And all I wanted was more legs turning over. Forever!

And then it’s there, finally, the NYRR Wanamaker Mile. They warm up, they run run around. Matt Centrowitz has the “be scared, I know exactly what I am doing. It’s on” look. He’s totally focused and it shows. I think I felt a bit of fear.

They go. I stop breathing again.

I am sorry for the blurriness. My camera had no idea these guys would be so fast and hadn’t had any coffee either.

Then it happens: I breathe. He did it and it was all we all had dreamed of and more. I really need to post the video of his legs doing the work, it’s pure art and it needs to be at the Met ASAP. Pure hot-running-art-on-fire. Even when walking he flies…